After celebrating one of our many November birthdays on Thursday, Craig and I left for a board meeting/retreat near the Hood Canal. We had no cell phone reception and no internet access. Saturday evening we arrived home to find Anna in not-so-good shape. She was in pain and her abdomen was a bit swollen. I was so exhausted that I just couldn't think of what could be going on with her so I asked her if she had taken any pain meds and we all went to bed. Sunday brought no relief to Anna. She was a trooper however and even still sung in the choir! She kept clinging to her side......her right side. Upon coming home, Craig called the on call doctor with her oncologist's office. It just so happened to be Dr. Irwin...Anna's doctor! He recommended immediately taking her to Mary Bridge Children's ER to rule out acute appendicitis. Welllll.....it just so happened that the ultra sound revealed that was exactly what was going on with her. The surgeon had left for the night but when he heard that it was confirmed, he turned around and called a team together for an emergency surgery. Normal people would've had to wait until Monday morning, but with Anna's special needs, they felt it vital to take her to surgery right away. I missed seeing her before she went in, but was able to be there with her and Craig over night. The surgeon informed us that the surgery went very well, her appendix was definitely inflamed though had NOT ruptured! Praise the Lord! There was some infection around the appendix but they were able to clean it up. She was given a high dose of steroids as her body doesn't produce enough on it's own to help fight off infection, and high dose antibiotics. He then told us that immune suppressed patients just do NOT get appendicitis and she had just blown their theory out of the window!
Anna is now doing well though she is in much pain. It is the plan for her to get to come home on Tuesday. Please pray that she recovers quickly. Her bone marrow aspirate was scheduled to take place Wednesday early morning and now has been post-poned until the following week.....unless we are having a baby of course! Life just doesn't seem to want to slow down one bit!
Anna is just a medical first all over the place! That's the power of the hand of God, moved by the prayers of thousands! We prayed for the surgery, recovery and that pain would subside! More prayers for the whole family as things will be crazy busy in the next few weeks!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. I will pray that the recovery is quick and complete. I will also pray that the aspirate next week shows 0.00000000%!!! Love you guys.
ReplyDeleteDear Anna, My family and I continue to keep you in our prayers. Your strength and perseverance is awe inspiring and a great testimony of our Lord and your faith in Him. Stay strong and keep the faith!
ReplyDeleteMuch love in Christ,
The Lance Hohenstreet Family
Oh, my, the Lord has certainly been watching out for you! Sorry you had to go thru this added pain, but very glad they were able to learn the cause & deal with it quickly for you. We'll add 'sore post op tummy' to our prayers for you! This is the month we concentrate on all the things we are so thankful for, and your continued healing and protection are certainly things we are thankful for! Carole Binder & family in FL
ReplyDeleteMy friend Sandie, posted your situation on facebook. I pray you will recover qickly.
ReplyDeletePrayers to you all! Craig & Anita
ReplyDeleteWow! Your lives are so crazy!! Praising God that the doctors were able to identify the problem quickly and the surgery was a success! Praying for you guys...that the next few weeks will be as least hectic as possible :) Praying for you, Anna, that your pain will subside quickly :) Thank you for being such an inspiration to me and so many other people! Your sweet smile is such an encouragement!
ReplyDeletePraying for you,Anna! Praying that your pain subsides quickly. We missed seeing you tonight, but know you needed to be home resting and healing. Love and Hugs, Mrs. Potvin
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